13   May

Five people were killed when gunmen stormed a luxury hotel near a China-funded port in southwestern Pakistan.

The attack occurred on Saturday near Gwadar Port in Baluchistan Province. The Pakistani military says three attackers randomly opened fire in the hotel before engaging in a shoot-out with soldiers and other security officers.

The five fatalities included a soldier and a hotel employee. The three gunmen were also killed. Hotel guests were safely evacuated.

The port is one of the key facilities in China's Belt and Road Initiative to create a huge economic zone spanning from Asia through Europe. Chinese state-owned firms have been leading massive development at the port.

The hotel targeted by the gunmen is used by Chinese guests.

An insurgent group seeking the independence of Baluchistan issued a statement saying the attack was aimed at "Chinese and other foreign investors."

Last November, the group attacked the Chinese Consulate General in Pakistan's largest city of Karachi.

NHK